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MEMORIES:
Inspired by the drawings and sketches by famed Imagineer John Hench, Space Mountain was originally known as “The Space Port.” It was proposed by Walt Disney as part of an expansion of Disneyland called “New Tomorrowland,” intended to open in 1967. But with Walt Disney World’s wide open grounds empty and awaiting attractions, it was decided that the first Space Mountain would be built in the newer park; the attraction opened there in 1975. Two years later, the imagineers designed another version for Disneyland. Incarnations of the popular ride would eventually pop up in Disney’s international parks, including Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Disneyland Paris (1995) and Hong Kong Disneyland ( 2005). The elements of design would give Space Mountain a look and feel that stands the test of time, decades down the line.
Space Mountain is completely enclosed, adding the element of surprise as riders swoosh through space. Though Space Mountain is one of the few attractions found at each of the Disney resorts, the ride itself can vary from park to park. For example, the Disneyland version features a single track with side-by-side seating, so you can share the experience with a friend. The Walt Disney World version has two different coaster tracks which mirror one another, while riders sit single-file. Space Mountain at Disneyland Paris (known as Space Mountain: Mission 2) looks at space travel from a Jules Verne-era perspective, a view that space travel isn’t just for fiction. Riders can feel the anticipation as they’re loaded into the “cannon” waiting for launch; they know they’re about to experience fastest of all the Space Mountains, topping out at an impressive 43.5 miles per hour.
Few can forget the feeling of the first time they walked into the murky darkness of a space port, heading down the ramps in nervous anticipation of the journey ahead. The indelible experience of this futuristic ride ensures that Space Mountain holds a place in the hearts and memories of many a child (and those who are still young-at-heart.)
